Great hair doesn’t come easy for most people. In fact, there are thousands of products available for people to improve the characteristics they don’t like about their hair. But what actually works? Is there something everyone can use? Truth is, the first and foremost way you can improve hair quality is with what you eat. Remember that old saying “you are what you eat?” Well, it holds true on everything from how you look and feel physically and emotionally to how your hair looks.
There are 7 main nutrients that are known to keep your hair healthy. They are: B vitamins, biotin, zinc, selenium, iron, protein and omega-3. These nutrients are needed by every cell that is a part of a strand of hair. If you are lacking in any of these, it is possible your hair will not grow well and it could cause hair loss.
-B vitamins help prevent hair loss. B-5 is one that you will see listed as pantothenic acid on product labels and it is known to help stimulate blood flow. Vitamin B-6 also
-A few generations ago, girls would coat their hair with eggs to help it grow and be shiny and smooth. They may not have known WHY it worked, but now we do… eggs are a great source of biotin and protein.
-Proteins are the building blocks for all cell growth, so it’s important to consume lean proteins regularly so hair will be stronger with less breakage.
-Iron, zinc, and selenium are important in helping hair follicles grow and when paired with vitamin C food, will be better absorbed. Iron can be found in fortified cereal, grains, pasta, and in soybeans and lentils. Beef, especially organ meats like liver, have lots of it. Selenium is naturally in water but also in shellfish and dark leafy greens like Spinach and kale are great choices to provide these minerals and guava has a high amount of vitamin c.
-Want full, hydrated, silky hair? That is where Omega-3 comes in. This is a nutrient that our bodies cannot make but it is found in fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, and mackerel.
If your diet needs to be changed, it will take some time for you to see results. But in the meantime, if you are looking for a quick fix to dry, frizzy or dull hair, you can apply some natural ingredients directly onto your hair. Argan oil, Moroccan oil, and Olive oil are amazing for hydration. Avocado can be used as a hair mask to provide moisture as well as strength. Lastly, beer is a great way to stimulate blood circulation of the scalp which helps in growth as well as repair damaged hair.
